POKORO : Device UX
2023. 12 - Current
Used Program : Figma, Excel
Type of Work : AI, iOT
Between Hardware and Software through AI - Prompt archetected
curiosity-driven learning experiences.
Many children spend their early learning years on digital screens, which often distract more than they teach.
 POKORO began as a simple sound pen but evolved into an ecosystem designed to encourage hands-on curiosity, voice-based learning, and self-driven exploration.
Reimagining Learning Through Conversation
POKORO allows children to ask, imagine, and learn through natural dialogue supported by an AI engine that understands context and adapts to each learner’s journey.
 By bridging physical interaction with digital intelligence, POKORO becomes not just a device, but a growing platform for lifelong curiosity.
POKORO Ecosystem
- POKORO Pen (Device UX): Detects printed Ncode patterns, interprets touch, and communicates through emoji-based LED feedback and sound.
- Cloud AI: Converts paper-based input into meaningful conversational responses using a hybrid architecture (Cache, History, Whitelist, LLM).
- POKORO App (APP UX): Visualizes conversations, learning frequency, and pronunciation scores — connecting physical curiosity with digital reflection.
POKORO Pen
Device UX : Designing for Screen-Free Feedback
POKORO was developed as a screen-free conversational learning device that helps children learn naturally through voice.
 However, one major challenge quickly appeared without a display; users couldn’t easily understand what the device was doing in real time.
 This uncertainty created confusion, especially for young users who couldn’t tell whether the pen was connecting, updating, or facing an error.
To address this challenge, I explored several feedback methods that could clearly convey the device’s status without relying on text or screens.
 I experimented with LED color signals, short sounds, vibration patterns, and pixel-style icons to find a balance between simplicity and emotional clarity.
Through internal prototype sessions and quick feedback rounds with teammates and parents, I observed that:
While it confirmed the concept of “conversational learning,” its interaction and form were limited too many physical buttons, fragmented user flow, and an outdated visual language.
In the final design, I minimized physical controls and replaced them with intuitive, emoji-based feedback and a neutral, timeless device form.
 This transformation made POKORO easier to use, more emotionally engaging, and ready for future content expansion.
To make the device’s status immediately understandable, I created a pixel-style emoji feedback system supported by simple tones.
 Behind the pen’s head, a small LED matrix displays 8-bit pictograms such as “Hello,” “Connecting,” “No Signal,” and “Updating.”
This approach allows users of any age to recognize the device’s state in less than one second.
 The combination of visual emotion and sound reduced cognitive load and reinforced trust between the user and the device.
Sketches from the Real-Time Device Status Development Process